Paint applying apparatus



Feb. 13, 1962 D. J. OCONNOR PAINT APPLYING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Nov. '7, 1958 m m m m 4 9 94 0 94k 9%) DONALD J. ocouuon ATTORNEYSFeb. 13, 1962 D. J. OYCONNOR 3,020,579

PAINT APPLYING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 7, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F|G.5 F|G.6

I I08 l I06 20 44 20 ms 64 68 FIG. 7

I FR

"6 a: I28 us I I24 I02 W 62 I22 I20 IN VEN TOR. DONALD J. O'CONNOR mm myW ATTORNEYS nitcd States 3,020,579 PAINT APPLYING APPARATUS Donald J.OConnor, East Hartford, Conn. Filed Nov. 7., 1958, Ser. No. 772,566 6Claims. (Cl. -553) This invention relates to paint applying apparatus ofthe fountain type wherein paint is supplied to an applicator underpressure and wherein operation of the apparatus is characterized inconsequence by the absence of the need for dipping or otherwise manuallysupplying paint to the applicator.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved paintapplying apparatus of the type mentioned which is adapted for theextremely rapid and yet highly eflicient application of paint to a worksurface.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the typementioned which includes an improved applicator which is adapted toreceive paint sup plied under pressure and to apply the same uniformlyover a work surface.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus ofthe type mentioned which includes an improved distributor adapted tosupply paint to an applicator in such manner that the paint is evenlydistributed over the face of the applicator for uniform application to awork surface.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention and suchembodiment will be described, but it will be understood that variouschanges may be made from the construction disclosed, and that thedrawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limitingthe scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of thisspecification being relied upon for that purpose.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view showing the paint applying apparatus of the presentinvention in use.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the paint applyingapparatus of FIG. 1 in greater detail.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing only the applicator anddistributor of the paint applying apparatus with the parts thereof inexploded relationship.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the distributor of thepaint applying apparatus taken as indicated by the lines 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a vertical transverse section through the applicator anddistributor of the paint applying apparatus with a pivotally movableportion of the applicator shown in its normal position.

FIG. 6 is a vertical transverse section similar to FIG. 5 but showingthe pivotally movable portion of the applicator in its pivoted position.

FIG. 7 is a vertical transverse section showing an alternativeconstruction of the applicator.

FIG. 8 is a vertical transverse section showing another alternativeconstruction of the applicator of the paint applying apparatus.

It will be observed from FIGS. 1 and 2 that the paint applying apparatusshown is particularly adapted for exterior painting of residencestructures or the like. It should be understood at the outset, however,that the invention is not limited to paint applying apparatus par-'ticularly adapted for such purposes. The invention contemplates paintapplying apparatus ofmany different sizes and apparatus particularlyadapted for a wide variety of types of painting. It should also beunderstood that the apparatus of the present invention may be utilizedfor applying coating materials other than paint to work surfaces and mayalso find utility in the application of washing or cleaning materials towork surfaces.

In general, the paint applying apparatus shown com prises a headindicated generally at It) and which includes an applicator 12 and adistributor 14, an elongatedhandle 16 which supports the head 10, andmeans for supplying paint under pressure to said head, the last saidmeans comprising means 18 for storing paint under pressure and fluidpassageway means for delivering paint from the storage means 18 to thehead. The distributor .14 receives the paint under pressure from thesaid fluid passageway means and distributes the paint evenlysubstantially through the length of the applicator for application to awork surface. The applicator, in accordance with the invention, includesat least one elongated sponge-like member preferably having asubstantially ,fiat face throughout its length and as shown theapplicator 12 in-' cludes upper and lower elongated sponge-like membersit and 22 each having substantially flat faces throughout their length(FIG. 3). The upper and lower spongelike members 20 and 22 are connectedwith the distributor 14 and are held in substantially parallel andspaced apart relationship with their faces preferably in a common plane(FIG. 5). When the applicator is so constructed, the distributor 14evenly distributes the paint substantially throughout the length of thespace between the sponge-like members whereby to evenly distribute thepaint along the length of the faces of said members for application to awork surface.

The handle 16 is shown as comprising first and second end sections 24and 2d. The first end section 24 is adapted to support t e applicator 12and distributor 14 in operative position with the sponge-like memberssubstantially normal to the handle ,centerline and has a swivelattachment with the distributor 3.4 at its upper end. A bracket 28fixedly secured to the distributor 14 may be adjustably secured to a lug39 formed at the upper end of the end section 24 by means of a suitablebolt and a wing nut 32. The second end section 26 of the handle isadapted to be held by an operator of the paint applying apparatus and isprovided with a suitable hand-grip 34. The handle 16 also comprises atleast one and preferably a plurality of intermediate sections 36 whichare adapted to be detachably connected'in end-toeend. "relationship witheach other and with the end sections 24 and 26. Connecting sleeves (oneindicated at 38) are provided for detachably connecting the intermediatesections 36 with each other and with the end sections.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that when .a plurality ofintermediate sections 36 or" the handle 16 are provided, the length ofsaid handle may be adjusted as desired. That is, a plurality ofintermediate sections of different lengths may be provided and saidsections may be interchanged to provide a handle of desired length.Alternatively, a plurality of intermediate sec tions 36 of similarlengths may be provided and diflerent numbers of intermediate sectionsmay be used to provide a handle of a desired length. Thus, in painting aresidence structure or the like, a relatively long handle may beprovided and a first zone extending around the structure near the topthereof may be painted initially. The

handle may then be shortened and an adjacent zone 6X.

tending around the structure immediately below said first zone may bepainted. Thereafter, by periodically shortening the handle 16,successive lower zones may be painted until the sides of the structurehave been completely coated with paint.

The aforementioned fluidpassageway means -for delivering paint from apressurized storage means to the distributor 14 is shown as comprising aplurality of tubes 7 40, 4th. The tubes 40, 4% are adapted to bedisposed respectively in grooves 42, 42 which are formed in the end' andintermediate sections of the handle 16 and 'the' said tubes are adaptedto be detachably connected together and connected with the distributor14 when the handle Sections are connected together whereby to form acontinuous paint supply tube. A connecting tube 44 is shown extendingfrom the distributor 14 to the tube 40 associated with the first endsection 2-.- of the handle 16 and a connecting tube 46 is shownextending from the said tube 40 to the tube 40 associated with theintermediate section 36 of said handle. A second connecting tube 46 (notshown) extends between the tube 48 associated with the intermediatesection 36 and the tube 46 associated with the second end section 26 ofthe handle 16. When there are additional intermediate sections 36, asuitable number of additional tubes 40 and 46 are provided.

The fluid passageway means also comprises a tube 48 extending from thestorage means 18 to the tube 40 associated with the end section 26 ofthe handle 16. Associated with the tube 48 is a manually operable flowcontrol device comprising a valve 56 disposed in the said tube andadapted to be opened andclosed by a push button 52 associated therewith.The valve 50 and its operating button 52 may be of any known orpreferred type and description of the detailed construction thereof isnot necessary for an understanding of the invention. It will be apparentthat when the valve 50 is opened, paint will be allowed to flow from thepressurized storage means 18 through the tube 48 to the tube 40. Fromthe said tube 40 the paint will flow upwardly along the handle throughthe other tubes 40, 40 and the connecting tubes 46 and 44 to thedistributor 14. In operation of the apparatus, the button 52 isdepressed periodically to open the valve 50 and to thereby deliver asupply of paint to the applicator 12.

The pressurized paint storage means 18 may take a variety of formswithin the scope of the invention. As shown, the said means comprises acontainer 54 for holding a supply of paint. A small air pump 56associated with the container 54 is adapted for manual operation andprovides a volume of pressurized air within the container which acts onthe paint to force the same through the tube 48. The container is alsoprovided with a pair of shoulder-straps 58, 58 so as to be readilycarried by an operator of the paint applying apparatus.

The distributor 14 of the paint applying apparatus provides superiordistribution of the paint to the applicator 12. That is, the paint isdistributed evenly along the length of said applicator so that uniformapplication of the paint to the work surface is achieved withoutstreaking or other undesirable results. In accordance with theinvention, the distributor 14 includes means defining a labyrinth havingan inlet port, a series of discharge ports, and a plurality ofinterconnected passageways disposed between said inlet and dischargeports. The discharge ports are arranged in a series along the length ofthe applicator to deliver paint thereto and the interconnectedpassageways are arranged to divide flow from the inlet port into anumber of equal fractional parts equal to the number of discharge portsin a series of steps. Each step involves a like proportionate increasein the number of fractional parts of the flow, and, more specifically,each step consists in doubling the number of fractional parts of theflow as will be described hereinbelow.

The preferred construction of the distributor 14 is best illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4. In the said preferred construction, first and second orupper and lower elongated plate-like members 60 and 62 are provided.When upper and lower elongated sponge-like applicator members 20 and 22are provided, the upper and lower distributor members 60 and 62 areadapted along their front edges to support said sponge-like members 26and 22 respectively. The upper and lower plate-like members 60 and 62are further adapted to be detachably connected together and when saidmembers are so connected, the sponge-like members 26 and 22 respectivelysupported thereon are held in spaced substantially parallel relationshipwith each other and their faces lie substantially in a common plane. Inaddition, the members 60 and 62, when connected together, define alabyrinth of the type described above, the inlet port for the labyrinthbeing disposed at a rear portion of the said plate-like members and thedischarge ports thereof being disposed in a series extending along afront edge portion of said members. Paint supplied to the labyrinthinlet port is thus evenly distributed along the length of the spacebetween the upper and lower Sponge-like members 20 and 22 of theapplicator 12 and is evenly distributed along the faces of said membersfor application to a work surface.

The manner in which the plate-like members 60 and 62 are adapted tosupport the sponge-like members 20 and 22 as well as the manner in whichthey are adapted to be detachably connected together may be variedwidely the scope of the invention. As shown, the lower platelike member62 has two bolts 64, 64 secured therein and extending upwardlytherefrom. The upper plate-like member 60 is provided with two openings66, 66 which are of suitable size and which are suitably spaced fromeach other so as to respectively receive the bolts 64, 64. A wing nut 68is provided for each bolt 64 and when said nuts are tightened on theirrespective bolts, the members 60 and 62 are firmly clamped together.

As shown, the upper plate-like member 60 has rigidly secured along itsfront edge an upwardly extending mounting plate 76. The plate 76 has ashort rearwardly extending flange 72 formed integrally at each end. Theupper sponge-like member 20 has a backing plate 74 which is fixedlysecured thereto and which has a rearwardly extending flange 76 formed ateach end thereof. The rearwardly extending flanges 72 on the mountingplate 70 and the rearwardly extending flanges 76 on the backing plate 74are formed respectively with openings 78 and 80. When the backing plate74 is engaged flatly with the mounting plate 70 on the member 60 theopenings 80, 80 in the backing plate flanges 76, 76 register with theopenings 78, '78 in the flanges 72, 72. Suitable small bolts (not shown)are entered in the flange openings 78 and S0 for detachably connectingtogether the plate-like member 60 and the sponge-like member 20.

Detachable connection of the lower sponge-like member 22 with the lowerplate-like member 62 is accomplished in a similar manner. A mountingplate 82 rigidly secured along the front edge of the member 62 extendsdownwardly therefrom and is provided at each end with a rearwardlyextending flange 84. The flanges 84, 84 each have an opening 86 formedtherein and similar rearwardly extending flanges 88, 88 formed at theends of a backing plate 94) for the sponge-like member 22 have openings92, 92 provided therein. The openings 86 and 92 are in register when thesponge-like member 22 is mounted on the plate-like member 62 and areadapted to receive suitable bolts (not shown) which detachably fastenthe said members 62 and 22 together.

The manner in which the afore-mentioned labyrinth is defined between theplate-like members 60 and 62 of the distributor when they are connectedtogether may also be varied widely. As shown, the upper plate-likemember 60 has a plurality of grooves 94, 94 formed in its lower surface(FIG. 4). The grooves 94, 94 are interconnected and are arranged so thatpaint supplied to the rearwardmost groove 94a will be successivelydivided in steps into a plurality of separate and equal flows or streamsas it progresses toward the front edge of said member. That is, thepaint in the groove 94a is divided into two separate and equal flows intwo grooves 94b, 94b. Each of the flows of paint in the grooves 94b, 94bis then divided into two separate flows in a battery of four grooves94c, 94c. Each of the flows of paint in the grooves 940, 94a is thendivided into two separate and equal flows in a battery of eight grooves94d, 94d. The fiows of paint in the grooves 94d, 94d are each dividedagain and the divided flows are received in a battery of sixteen grooves94c, 942. Each of the grooves 94:: is provided with two dischargegrooves or ports 96, 96 and the said discharge grooves or ports arearranged in a series along a front edge portion of the lower plate-likemember 62 for distributing paint to the applicator 12. It will beapparent from the foregoing that paint supplied to the groove 94a isdivided substantially equally among the several discharge grooves orports 96, 96, the said division being accomplished in a number of stepseach consisting in doubling the number of fractional parts of the paintflow. Further, it will be apparent that paint supplied to the groove 94aencounters substantially equal resistance in flowing to any one of thedischarge ports or grooves 96, 96. The passageways connecting saidgrooves or ports with the said groove 94a are obviously substantiallyequal in length and area and thus offer substantially equal resistanceto paint flow. The provision of equal flow from each of said dischargegrooves or ports effects a uniform distribution of paint along thelength of the applicator 12 as stated.

Paint is supplied to the groove 94a in the upper platelike member 69through an inlet port 98 which is supplied with paint in turn from aninlet conduit Hit) formed integrally on the upper surface of saidmember. The aforementioned connecting tube 44 extending between thedistributor and the tube 40 in the handle section 24 is connected withthe inlet conduit 1% for supplying paint thereto as best illustrated inFIG. 5.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the platelike members 60and 62. may be connected together as described above to cover thegrooves 94 and provide a labyrinth having separate fluid-tightpassageways. It is the presently preferred practice to provide a gasketbetween the members 60 and 62 so that a narrow space may be convenientlyprovided between said members adjacent their front edges for receivingthe paint from the discharge ports 96, 96. It will be seen that theseparate flows from said discharge ports will tend to fan out and jointogether in such a space and will form a substantially uniform ancontinuous flow along the length of the space. This insures that thepaint will not be delivered to the space between the sponge-like members2t) and 22 in a longitudinal series of separate flows, but will insteadbe delivered to said space and thence to the faces of said members in acontinuous and uniform stream along the length of the members. Streakingand other undesirable characteristics in the coat of paint applied tothe work surface Will thus be minimized if not eliminate A gasket 162 isshown in the drawings as being disposed between the plate-likemember-s66 and 52. Two similar holes 1%, 1M- in the gasket 162 (E6. 3)are provided for receiving the bolts 64, 6a which extend upwardly fromthe lower plate-like member 62. The said gasket is shaped tosubstantially cover all but a front edge portion of the upper surface ofthe plate-like member 62, said front edge portion of the surface whichis not covered by the gasket terminating short of the ends of the plate.As best illustrated in FIG. 5, paint flows from the discharge ports 96,96 into a narrow space 103 which is defined between the said front edgeportion of the upper surface of the plate 62 and an adjacent portion ofthe lower surface of the plate-like member. 6i? and which is open to theapplicator. In the said space the individual flows from said ports fanout and join together to provide the desired uniform continuous flowalong the length of the space.

The detailed construction of the applicator 12 of the paint applyingapparatus may vary considerably. While the sponge-like member or membersof the applicator are preferably formed of plastic foam, othersponge-like materials may be used, the term sponge-like denoting acomparative-ly light, porous and somewhat elastic material which may becharacterized as close grained'and of low absorbency. The sizes andshapes chosen for the spongelike members may vary widely as required forparticular painting operations. Where two spaced substantially parallelsponge-like members are provided as shown, it is tions be suiiicient toreturn the upper portion thereof to' its normal position after it hasbeen pivoted rearwardly.

preferred practice to form the members so that theyengage each other attheir ends to prevent the endwiseescape of paint from the spacetherebetween. Thus, in the applicator shown the upper sponge-like member21 has a clownwardly extending enlargement 165 formed at each end andwhen said member is held in its operative position relative to the lowersponge-like member 22, the enlargements 1%, 165 engage the upper surfaceof said lower member and confine the paint to the space between said twomembers 20 and 22. i

When the paint applying apparatus is particularly adapted for exteriorpainting of residence structures or the like as shown, the uppersponge-like member 20 of the applicator is preferably adapted forpainting both vertical and horizontal surfaces. The member is so adaptedto permit the generally horizontal bottom surfaces of clapboards orshingles, as well as their vertical side surfaces, to be readilypainted. In FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings, it will be observed that thebacking plate 74 of the upper sponge-like member 2a does not extend tothe top of the rear surface of said member. The backing plate 74 is soconstructed to permit an upper portion of the member 20 to be pivotedrearwardly from a lower portion of said member as illustrated in FIG. 6.Thus, the normally vertical face of the member 20 can be transformed toa generally L-shaped cross-sectional configuration and the bottomsurfaces of shingles or clapboards can be effectively painted by forcingthe member diagonally upwardly into the corners formed betweenvertically adjacent clapboards or shingles.

It will also be observed in FIGS. 5 and 6 that a biasing means isprovided for urging the upper portion of the sponge-like member 2%forwardly to its normal vertical position. Such means are optional asthe natural resiliency of the sponge-like member may in some construc-The biasing means shown comprises a pair of leaf springs 106, 106 and apivotally supported bias plate 108. The plate 188 is pivotally supportedon a slender rod 110 (FIG. 3) which is supported at its ends in suitableopen- I ings in the flanges 78, 78 which are formed on the mountingplate 7t!- secured to the upper plate-like member 60.

The springs 166, 106 are secured respectively at one end i to theplate-like member 50 as by suitable rivets 112, 112 and their oppositeends engage the bias plate 108- and urge the same forwardly whereby tourge the upper portion of the sponge-like member 29 forwardly to itsnormal position.

In FIG. 7 an alternative applicator construction is illus trated. Animportant feature of the alternative applicator construction of FIG. 7is the provision of an accumulator or reservoir for storing paintdelivered to the space between the upper and lower sponge-like membersthereof. is provided in the upper surface of the lower sponge-likemember of the applicator of FIGS. 5 and 6, it will contract and expandas the member is engaged with and compressed by a work surface and thenwithdrawn from engagement with the surface. It will be further apparentthat paint may be stored in the groove when the applicator is notengaged with a work surface and the said paint will be forced out of thegroove and supplied to the faces of the applicator members when thegroove contracts upon engagement of the applicator members with a worksurface. While the provision of such a simplified type of accumulator orreservoir falls within the scope of It will be apparent that if alongitudinal groove dinal paint storing groove 122 formed in its uppersurface which communicates with the groove 118 in the upper member 116.Formed on the upper surface of the lower member 120 adjacent the groove122 therein is a longitudinal flange 124 which extends upwardly into thegroove 118 and which normally engages the front wall of said groove.Another longitudinal flange 126 is formed along the face of the lowersponge-like member 129 and extends outwardly or forwardly therefrom.When the applicator members 116 and 120 are advanced toward a worksurface, the flange 126 on the face of the lower member 12il engages thesaid surface and causes relative movement between the said members 116and 120, i.e., the member 120 is moved rearwardly relative to the member116. This results in rearward movement of the flange 124 on the member120 relative to the front wall of the groove 113 and paint within thegrooves 118 and 122 is allowed to fiow forwardly over the said flangeand toward the faces of the applicator members. Thus, the flange 124serves as a movable dam which normally confines the paint within thegrooves 118 and 122, but which is moved rearwardly to permit the paintto flow to the faces of the applicator members when said members areadvanced into engagement with a work surface.

It will be noted that the upper sponge-like member 116 in thealternative construction of FIG. 7 has an upper portion of reducedthickness 116 with a rounded upper surface. The said upper portion 116of the member is adapted to be pivoted rearwardly for paintinghorizontal surfaces and the natural resiliency of the sponge-like memberis depended upon for returning the said portion of the member to itsnormal position.

An additional feature of the alternative applicator construction of FIG.7 is the provision of longitudinal ribs on the back surfaces of thesponge-like members 116 and 120. A rib 128 formed along the back of theupper sponge-like member 116 is received in a suitable groove 130 formedin a backing plate 132 for the said member. The groove 130 is formed insaid backing plate by olfsetting a longitudinal section of the backingplate and the said offset section of the plate 132 is in turn receivedin a longitudinal groove formed in a mounting plate 134 which is fixedlysecured to the front edge portion of the upper distributor member. Thelower sponge-like member 118 has a similar longitudinal rib 136 which isentered in a groove 138 defined by an offset portion of a backing plate149 for the said member. The offset portion of the backing plate 140 isreceived in a suitable groove in a mounting plate 142 supported on thefront edge portion of the lower distributor member. It will be seen thatthe provision of the ribs on the sponge-like members and theconstruction of the backing plates and mounting plates in the mannerdescribed results in added rigidity of the connection of the sponge-likemembers with the distributor. In addition, leakage of the paintdownwardly between the backing plate 140 and the mounting plate 142associated with the lower sponge-like member 120 is prevented when theapplicator is so constructed.

In FIG. 8 another alternative construction of an applicator isillustrated. An upper sponge-like member 144 of the applicator showntherein is of substantially the same construction as the uppersponge-like member 116 of FIG. 7, the rib 128 of the said member 116,however, being eliminated in the construction of the member 144. Theconstruction of a lower sponge-like member 146 corresponds similarly tothe construction of the lower spongelike member 120 with one additionaldifference. Said additional difference arises from the provision in theupper surface of the sponge-like member 146 of two longitudinal grooves148, 143. The longitudinal grooves 148, 148 are disposed in the uppersurface of the member 146 between a flange or dam 150 and the face ofsaid member and serve as secondary paint accumulators or reservoirs. Aspaint flows forwardly over the dam toward the faces of the sponge-likemembers, it collects in the grooves 146 and when the said grooves havebeen filled, the paint proceeds to the faces of the members. When themembers 144 and 146 are withdrawn from a work surface, the size of thegrooves 148, 148 will be increased and any paint which is locatedbetween the dam and the faces of the members 144 and 146 will becollected in said grooves and will be prevented from flowing to thefaces of the members and possibly dripping therefrom.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a paint applying apparatushas been provided which is capable of extremely rapid and yet highlyeflicient application of paint to a work surface. With the applicatorand distributor constructions described, a relatively long head may beprovided so that a comparatively large work surface area may be paintedwith each stroke and the paint will yet be applied uniformly to the worksurface without streaking or other undesirable results. In addition, andas mentioned previously, apparatus embodying the invention has generalutility and may be used to advantage in a wide variety of work surfacetreating operations other than painting.

The invention claimed is:

l. A paint applying apparatus comprising an applicator which includes anupper elongated close grained spongelike member of low absorbency havinga generally flat face and a lower elongated close grained sponge-likemember of low absorbency disposed in spaced parallel relationship withsaid upper member and having a generally flat face extendingapproximately in a common plane with the face of said upper member, saidlower member also having a groove running lengthwise in its uppersurface which holds a supply of paint when the member is out ofengagement with a work surface and which can be contracted to deliversaid paint to a work surface when said member is in engagement with andis compressed by a work surface, a distributor connected with theapplicator and provided with a paint inlet and a plurality ofdistributing passageways connected with said inlet to conduct painttherefrom to the space between said sponge-lilre members, saidpassageways being arranged to discharge paint substantially throughoutthe length of said space and the resistance to paint flow offered bysaid passageways being substantially equal so as to provide forsubstantially equal paint ilow therethrough and a uniform distributionof paint along the length of said space and said groove, an elongatedhandle supporting the applicator and distributor in operative positionswith the elongated sponge-like members of the applicator substantiallynormal to the handle ccnterline, and means for supplying paint underpressure to the distributor inlet including a manually operable flowcontrol device.

2. A paint applying apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the uppersponge-like member of the applicator is provided with a groove runninglengthwise along its bottom surface which communicates with the groovein the lower sponge-like member, and wherein one of said sponge-likemembers is provided with a first longitudinal flange on its face andwith a second longitudinal flange which is located adjacent its grooveand which projects into the groove in the other of said sponge-likemembers and normally engages the front wall thereof whereby to serve asa dam and to prevent flow from said two grooves when the sponge-likemembers are not engaged with a work surface, said first flange servingto effect relative movement betwen said sponge-like members when saidmembers are engaged with a work surface and to move said second flangerearwardly away from the said front wall of the groove in said othersponge-like member whereby to permit paint to flow from said two groovesadjacent said front wall to the work surface.

3. A paint applying apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein at leastone longitudinal groove is provided in the upper surface of the lowersponge-like member in addition to the first-mentioned longitudinalgroove therein, said additional groove being disposed between the faceof the member and the longitudinal flange which serves as a dam.

4. A paint applying apparatus comprising an applicator which includeselongated upper and lower close grained sponge-like members of lowabsorbency having generally flat faces, a distributor including upperand lower elongated plate-like members detachably connected together andrespectively supporting along their front edges said upper and lowersponge-like members in substantially parallel spaced relation with theirfaces disposed approximately in a common plane, said upper plate-likemember having a plurality of grooves formed therein in its lower surfaceand said lower plate-like member having a substantially flat uppersurface whereby said two surfaces cooperate to define a labyrinth, saidlabyrinth having an inlet port for receiving a flow of paint underpressure and having a series of discharge ports extending adjacent thespace between said sponge-like members for distributing the paint evenlythroughout the length of said space, the resistance to paint flow insaid labyrinth between said inlet port and each of said discharge portsbeing sub stantially equal, an elongated handle fixedly holding saiddistributor with said sponge-like members substantially normal to thehandle centerline, and means for supplying paint under pressure to thelabyrinth inlet port in the distributor including a manually operableflow control device.

5. A paint applying apparatus comprising an applicator which includeselongated lower and upper close grained sponge-like members of lowabsorbency having generally flat faces, a substantially flat lowerdistributor plate supporting along its front edge portion said lowerspongelike member of the applicator, a gasket supported on the uppersurface of said lower plate and substantially covering all but alongitudinally extending front edge portion of said surface whichportion terminates short of the ends of the plate, a substantially flatupper distributor plate supporting along its front edge portion theupper sponge-like member of the applicator and detachably connected withsaid lower plate and gasket, said upper plate having a plurality ofgrooves provided in its lower surface which form with said gasket alabyrinth having an inlet port for receiving a flow of paint underpressure and having a series of discharge ports extending adjacent saiduncovered front edge portion of the lower plate surface for distributingthe paint to said sponge-like members, the resistance to paint flow insaid labyrinth between said inlet port and each of said discharge portsbeing substantially equal, an elongated handle fixedly holding saidupper and lower distributor plates with said sponge-like memberssubstantially normal to the handle centerline, and means for supplyingpaint under pressure to said labyrinth inlet port including a manuallyoperable flow control device.

6. A paint applying apparatus comprising an applicator which includeselongated lower and upper close grained sponge-like members of lowabsorbency having general ly flat faces, a substantially flat lowerdistributor plate detachably holding along its front edge portion saidlower sponge-like member of the applicator, a gasket adapted to besupported on the upper surface of said lower plate and substantiallycovering all but a front edge portion of said surface which portionterminates short of the ends of the plate, a substantially fiat upperdistributor plate detachably holding along its front edge portion saidupper sponge-like member of the applicator and detachably connected withsaid lower plate and gasket, said upper plate having a plurality ofgrooves provided in its lower surface which form with said gasket alabyrinth having an inlet port for receiving a flow of paint underpressure and having a series of discharge ports extending adjacent saiduncovered front edge portion of the lower plate surface for distributingthe paint to said sponge-like members, the resistance to paint flow insaid labyrinth between said inlet port and each of said discharge portsbeing substantially equal, an elongated handle fixedly holding saidupper and lower distributor plates with said sponge-like memberssubstantially normal to the handle centerline, and means for supplyingpaint under pressure to said labyrinth inlet port including a manuallyoperable flow control device.

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